Machine for cutting patches and the like



K. 1 HERRMANN MACHINE FO?. CUTTING PATCHES AND THE LIKE INVENTOR KHRL @HERRN/NVN ATTORNEY K. L. HERRMANN MAHINE FOR CUTTING PATCHES AND THE LIKE F'iled April 14, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR KHE/L LByHE/Q'HMHA/A/ A ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

UNI-TED PATENT 0F Fie@ KARL L. HERRMANN, OF DETROIT, MIC'HXGAN, .LSSIGNOR TO THESTTIDEBAKER `(JQR- PORATION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A COR-PORATON Q'FZNiEV* JERSEY;

MACHINE Inon Ceferino ramones annif-neanke.

Application flied April i4', 1924.l srii No mense. i i

rfhis invention relates to machines particularly adaptable for use in connection withpreparing leather or like materialfor patching, and foi" preparing patches for such material. rthroughout the followingV description and claims when referenceiis made v pared so, that the material forming its limits,

or side walls in the case ofja' hole, is formed to provide a relatively large area in respect to the hole, asby ,forming `Widely diverged side walls, and a patch corresponding in size and shape to vthe hole or 'depressionso prepared is properly vglued therein, the patched portion of the leather' is just as strong as the unpatched portion, andit may be finished off so that'ff'or most practical purposes it is impossible to detect the patched portion. The diiiiculty heretofore 'has been that such patching has been a hand job', the holein the leather being prepared by afknife in the hand of a Werkman and the patch therefore also being` so prepared. The inevitable result is that such av hand' method consumes a relatively long time and each patch must he fitted separately to each hole as it istp'ractically inmossible for a person to 'consistently manually fornrsuch ak hole or patch to a predetermined shape and size.`vv

i t .is an object of the present invention `to provide a machine whereby a hole of Ipredetermined size andshape may be formed in leather and a patch of predetermined size and shape which may correspondWiththe hole to be covered, may be formed ifrom leather, Vthereby eliminating to a great extent the human element enteringinto the preparingl of holes'to be patched and patches therefor. 4

l have found in experimentingl with this class of ivork that if a' knife is drawn through `the vleather in ,one direction only, in' an effort to obtain a hole or patch of the desired shape and size, that as. soon as: the knife passes the center-:line of the hole' or patch, from `which point the leather being removed is ldiminishing` in thickness there is a tendency for' theknife" tok digi-or gcugevinto the leather, -and 4coisequently vit is almost impossible to obtain the same unifo'nr reductionin thicknessof the leather being' removed fromlthellast side" cuty as is obtained onlthe'iirst' side, with the result that an unsatisfactory .hole orf'patcli is formed. This is als'otrueto a certainement Where the knife is drawn tothe'jcenter of the holelor 'patch fromtwo or three'diiferentdirections. L i 'l "Anotheifobject of the present invention is. therefore, to' l suclrholes in, or patches froin leather `Wherein the knife blade removing the leather begins to-cut'unifornily around the perimeter of the hole orpatch andis `gradually and uniformly` drawn in tothe centerthereof.

Another object is 'to provide 'a' machine for cutting leather in which the path that the cuttingedge of thel knife is constrained Lto travel in is a spiral. 'i f f i Stillanother object of the present invention is to provide a machine `by, the useof -which a varietyof predetermined sizes and shapes of holes may be, formed in', or 'patches formed from, leather, the onlychangels being necessary in the machine vwhen it isusedfor 'one shape orsized hole or patch to adaptit to cut a different sized Lhole or patclnare the substitution of easily -'demountable' partsj-or in some cases merely ay siinpleadjustment of the machine itself. i i f These being` among ythe objects of the pres ent invention, thesaine consists'of-vcertain features of construction Vand:combination of parts'to be hereinafterdescribed,r With reiference to the 'accompanying drawings which illustrate a tsuitable embodiment thereof, and then claime'ch having 'the' abeve land other 'objects in vieiv Y In the accompanying; drawings like numerals referito lik'e Aparts vthroughout the severalvieivs,i1rwliicli,` Y- Figure/1l is a partially broken side view illustrating a machine incorporating' therein aA suitable embodimentV of my'prese'nt invention.-fr

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the vcutting'head of the machine shown in Figure l. {Figure 3 is a viei'v of the above mentioned cutting head taken on the vline 3-3 of Figure l. i i v l Figure t is a partially broken and sectionedfragmentary side vien' f taken on the line4i-4 of Figure 3, showing the manner iii vwhich .the leather is supported for cutprovide a machine for "forming ting, and certain parts of the machine in relation thereto.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cutter supporting member.

Figure 6 is a sectional view ot one form ot' patch ot the type which I obtain by the use of the machine illustrated taken perpendicular to the plane of the patch and through its center.

Figure 7 is a. section ot a piece ot leather taken through the center of a hole of the type prepared for patching by the machine illustrated, perpendicular to the plane or the leather.

Although I use the term hole throughout the description ot the invention, it is to be understood that the same refers to either an opening in the material or a depression therein, and I wish it to be understood that I refer to any opening, depression, or thin spot7 in the material which it is to strengthen or patch.

The machine consists ot a hat base 1() provided with an upwardly extending boss 11 into which is vertically threaded the post 12. The post 12 pivotally supports the swinging frame 13, the outer end ot which carries the cutting head ot' the machine. The frame 13 is vertically adjustable on the post 12 b y the nut 14 threadably engaging the post 12 below the frame 13. Projecting from the rear oi the trame 13 is a boss 15 which is provided with a vertical opening for the loclring plunger 16 which is rotatably and slidably received therein. An

opening 17 in the boss 11 is adapted to receive the lower end of the plunger 16 and thereby lock the trame 13 in cutting position and prevent its swinging when in such position. The plunger 16 is normally lrept in raised or unlocked position ot the frame 13 by means of a coil spring 13 positioned in a partly compressed state about the plunger 16 between its head and the boss 15. In order to hold the plunger 16 in engagement with the opening 17 a projecting pin 19 is secured to the plunger 16 adjacent its lower end and is adapted to be engaged by the hook 2O secured to the boss 11 when the plunger 16 is depressed and rotated so as to bring the pin 19 under the hoolr 20, thus preventing the spring 13 from r ising the plunger 16.

The outer end of the swinging 'frame 13 is provided with two vertically aligned bearings 21 and 22` and secured to the lower tace of the trame 13 adjacent and concentric to the bearing 22 and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bearings 21 and 22, is the traclr plate 23. A vertically extending spindle 24 is journaled in the bearings 21 and 22 and projects through the track plate 23 and has formed at its lower end the cutter driving member 25. rIhe spindle 24 also projects above the trame 13 and receives thereon a driving element 26 which serves to turnish means for rotating the spindle 24, and the nut 27 which serves to hold the spindle 24 and member 25 'trom axial movement in relation to the frame 13 in a conventional manner. The cutter driving member has formed therewith two horizontally extending arms 23 and 29 which support the cutter supporting member 30 The cutter supporting member 30 is pivotally secured in a horizontal plane to the arm 23 by a sunken head screw 31 upon which a nut 32 is threaded to hold the members in proper relative position. rllhe op posite end ont the cutter supporting member 30 is slidably supported by the screw 33 and nut 34 in the arcuate slot Ytermed in the arm 29, the slot 353 being formed in an arc about the center o'f the screw 31 to allow the cutter supporting member' 30 to pivot about the screw 31 within the limits oft the slot 353. As most clearly shown in lfigures 4 and 5, the cutter supporting member 30 has a cutter seat 36 midway its length, or better stated, equally disposed either side ot the axis of the spindle 24. The cutter seat 36 is at a slight angle to the horizontal plane o the supporting member and receives thereon a cutting blade or cutter 37, which is clamped thereto by the clamping member 33 overlying it and which draws it down against the. seat 36 by means of the screw 3S) which passes through the seat 36 from below.

through the cutter 37 and which threadably engages the clamping member 33, leaving the edge of cutter 37 projecting out towards the axis oit the sha't't 24 a predetermined amount` In the lower tace of the track plate 23 is formed a spiral groove or cam track 40 whose center is coincident with the axis o'l the spindle 24, and a guide or cam finger 41 is secured to the cutter supporting member 30 and projects upwardly therefrom and is received in the groove or cam track 40. Inl asmuch as the screw 31, about which the cutter supporting member 30 is pivoted, is a lined point relative to the axis of the spindle 24, it is readily apparent that the guide 41 co-operating with the traclr 40 controls` the position of the cutter 37 in relation to the aXis of the spindle 24, and it is further apparent that when the driving element or handle 26 is rotated, thereby turning the spindle 24, cutter driving' member 25 and arms 23 and 29, the cutter supporting member 30 and its co-operating parts are caused to turn, and being pivoted about the screw 31 and being controlled by the guide 41 in track 40, the cutter is either brought towards or away from the axis of the spindle 24 by such turning movement. In other words, turn` ing of the handle 26 causes the cutter 37 to turn about the axis of the spindle 24 and at the same time causes it to approach or to recede :from the axis ot the spindle 24 del pendent upon the shape of the cam track 41 and upon the direction of rotation of the spindle 24. It is alsoapparent that any movement of the cutter 37 due to turning the handle 26 is limited to a horizontal plane.

An upwardly projecting boss 42 in the shape of a frustrated cone is formed on the base 10, the axis of the boss 42 being at the same distance from the axis of the post 12 as is the axis of the spindle 24 and is concentric with the axis of the spindle 24 when the frame 13 is in locked or cutting position. Surrounding the boss 42 is a member 43 provided with an internal conical seat to match the outside walls of the boss 41, the purpose of which will presently be dcscribed.

Concentric with the boss 42 and seated upon its upper surface is a removable button 44 which has a downwardly extending threaded projection 45 positioned in a central opening 46 in the upper surface of the boss 42 and which is seated against the boss 42 by the washer 47 and nut The upper surface ofthe button 44 is shaped to the exact shape of the depression or side walls of the hole which it is desired to form in the leather to be out, which shape is the same as that of the patch to be inserted in the hole so prepared.

In order `to hold the guide or cam 41 against one side of the groove or cam track 40, and to prevent the same from sticking when the cutter 87 has traveled to its extreme inward position, a projecting arm 52 is secured to the cutter driving arm 29 and a coil spring 53 connects the hooked outer end of the same to the guide 41.

Having co-mpleted the description of the elements of the machine, the operation of the same will now be. described. To illustrate the purpose and operation of the invention, I have shown a piece of leather 49 which has al hole 5() therein, such as a grub or other holel frequently found in leather, which it is desired to prepare for receiving` a patch.

The handle 26 will first be turned so as to bring the cutter to the center of the button 44, and then the nut 1.4 will be adjusted to bringl the cutting edge of the cutter down to a point substantially flush with the upper surface of the button 44. rlhe handle 26 will then be turned to bring the cutter to its extreme position away from'the center of the button 44. The plunger 16 will then be turned so as to bring the pin 19 from below the hook 2O which will lraisethe plunger 16 and allow the frame 13 to be swung away from the button 44. The piece of leather 4.9 will then be placed over the button 44 and member 42, with the center of the hole 50 approximately concentric with the center of the button 44. A ring 51 of proper internal diameter will then be placed over the leather 50 and be forced down about the member 42, drawing the leather down tightly about the button 44 and member 42. The frame 18 and cutting head will then be swung bacl over the button 44, care being taken that the cutter 37 is in the proper position so as not to interfere with the leather 49, and the plunger 16 will then be depressed and locked in such position, securing the frame 13 from pivotal movement. ylhe handle 26 will then be turned to bring the cutter 37 towards the center of the button 44, the cutting edge being drawn edgewise and inwardly at the same time. lt is evident thatV as the cutter turns about, and at the Sametime approaches the centerof the button 4 4, it begins to cut the leather 49 completely around the perimeter of the hole to be prepared, as indicated at 54, and the path of the cutting edge is always around and towards the center of the button 44 during the whole cutting operation, no cuttingI whatever being done when the cutter' 37 is moving away from the center of the button 44. lllhen the cutting edge of the cutter 37 reaches the center of the button 44, the leather to be removed is completely severed and the direction of rotation of the handle 26 is then reversed and the cutter again brought to its extreme outward position, the plunger 1G is released` the frame'13 and cutting head swung out oi' the way, the ring 51 is removed and then the leather 50 is removed, the hole 51 being now formed to the shape indicated in Figure l 7 when the leather 50 is placed in flat position. Should another piece of leather with no hole in it be placed over the button 44 and the operations above described be repeated, it is evident that the leather removed will form a perfect patch of the form shown in Figure 6 for the hole prepared by the previous operation.

It is evident that by changing the shape of the button 44, any desired shape or size of hole or patch may be obtained, and it is also practical to form merely a depression in the leather` and to patch it when the damaged part of the leather to be patched does not extend clear through the thickness thereof.

It is further evident, and this is a particularly valuable feature in connect-ion with this machine, that holes may be prepared and patches formed to a predetermined size as described, entirely independent of and apart from each other with resulting certainty that when a corresponding patch is eventually placed in a hole corresponding to it, the two will match perfectly. rThis feature will be seen to be of great value inasmuch as it does not necessitate each patch to be separately fitted to its respective hole.

Althoughl` have shown in the machine illustrated in the drawings a specific form of cam plate,driving mechanism and other feal lill tures, l do not limit myself to these specific 'features as it is 'evident that the cam plate may be changea to obtain any other movement of the cutter desired, and that it is within the knowledge of any good Workman to change the machine so to be power driven or to eilect a variety of diii'erent niovements and resnlts as required by various conditions, Without depart-ing from the spirit and substance ot the broad invention, the scope ot Which is commensurate With the appended claims.

llhat l claim is 1. ln` a machine tor removing a portion of a piece of leather to thereby form a tapered seat in said leather, a leather supporting,r member, a knife blade rotatable about an axis, said lrni'ie blade being,` positioned at an incline with respect to said supporting' member during the cutting operation, and means dependent upon said rotation 'for varying the relative position of the kniife with respect to said axis whereby to 'form a tapered seat in said leather.

2. ln a machine for removing a portion of a piece of leather to thereby form a tc.- pered seat in said leather, a leather supporting; member, a cutting;` element, said cnttii element being?,` positioned at an incline vvit i respect to said. supporting member dnring` the cutting operation, and means tor causing said cuttino' element to more in a spiral path to there y form a tapered seat in said leather.

9 T a machine of the class described, a

L). L driving,- spindle provided with a laterally extending' portion, a cutter carrying member pivoted to said extending portion in a plane perpendicular to said. spindle, and means for controlling the relative position of said cntl'er carrying member in respect to the axis oit said spindle.

+L. ln a machine of the class described, a rotatable driving spindle provided with a laterally xtending portion, a cutter carrying nien'iber pivoted to said extending perlen in a plane perpendicular to the ot said spindle, a cutter carried by said cutter can r \'ing` member, and means co-acting n'itn said cutter carrying member for variably controlling; its relative pivotal position.

5. In a, machine ot' the class desc 'ibed, a rotatable driving spindle provided With two laterally extending portions, a cutter carryin member pivoted to one of said extending portions in a plane perpendicular to the axis oif said spindle and slidably supported in the other of said extending portions. and means co-acting` With said cutter carrying' member for variably controlling,` its pivotal position.

(l. In a machine ot the class described, a rotatable driving spindle provided with a laterally extending arm, a member carrying` a cutter pivoted to said arm in a plane perpendicular to the axis or said spindle, means for rotating said spindle and means Whereby said rotation 4\vill control the pivotal position of said member relative to said arm. Y. in a machine ot the class described, a rotatable spindle vprovided Ywith means tor movably supporting a critter in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said spindle, means ior rotating;` said spindle, and means Whereby said rotation will control the rotative and transverse positions ot said c ter. 8. ln a. n'iac-,hine of the class described, rotatable spindle provided with laterally extending arin, member pivoted to said arm in a piane perpendicular' to the axis et ine whereby rotation ot r to turn ial pcriiion in relation thereto.

a machine ot to the axis or .I ationary member havlane perpendicnlar to le, and means on said with ,said can rech. l0. ln a ma V.hine oi:` the class desl rined, a rotatable s gjjindle provided with a lateral- .trending arm, a critter supporting member pivoted to said arm in a plane perpern dicnlar to the axis said pindle, a relatively stationary member provided ivith a cam track in a plane parallel to the p- :ot-al plane olf said cutter supporting member, and

a member secured to said cutter supporting member coacting- With said cam track to vary the pivotal position of said cutter snpporting' member.

ll. ln a machine of the class described, a rotatable spindle provided with a laterally extending` arm, a cutter supporting member pivoted to said arm cccntric from the axis ot said spindle, a relative stationary meinber i'n'ovided With a cani. track in a plane perpendicular to the axis ot said spinal e, and a niember on said first-named member engaging said cani track whereby when said second member turned amont the axis ot said spindle its position in relation tht-,rolo will be variably conti-oiled.

l2. ln a ina/chine ol the class described, a stationary base supporting a pivotally mounted trame; a spindle rotatably mounted in .said iframe provided with a laterally extending arm pivotally supporting` a cutter carrying member in a plane perl'iemlicnlar to the axis of said spindle; a relatively stationary member secured to said frame; and means co-actinp; with said members tor variably controlling' the position or the lirst mention-ed member in respect to said axis.

13. ln a machine ot' the class described, a stationary base supporting a pivotally mounted frame; means ior adjusting said frame in axial relation to its line of pivot; a spindle rotatably mounted in said frame; means for rotating said spindle; a cutting head supported by said spindle; a cutter secured to said cutting head; and means for causing movement of said cutter about the axis lof said spindle and for varying its relative position in relation to said axis.

14C. In a machine of the class described, a stationary base supporting a swinging frame; means for locking said frame in a predetermined position; a spindle journaled in said frame; a cutter carrying member eccentrically pivoted to said spindle and rotatable therewith; a member provided With a cam track non-rotatably secured to said frame; and a cam on said member engaging said cam track whereby rotation of said spindle Will vary the distance between said member and the axis of said spindle.

15. In a machine for removing a portion of a piece of leather, a knife blade constrained to move in a spiral path; a leather' supporting member provided with a surface conforming in shape to the shape of said portion to be removed; means for drawing the leather into close relationship with said member; and means for bringing said knife blade into cutting relation with said leather.

16. In a machine for removingl a portion of a piece of leather, a cutting member movable in a flat spiral path; a removable supporting member adapted to position the leather to be cut in th-e path of said knife, said supporting member being provided with a supporting surface corresponding to the predetermined shape of the portion to be removed by said cutting member; and means for moving said cutting member.

17 .In a machine for removing a portion lof a piece of leather, a base; a frame pivotsupporting member engaging said spiral camV track; means for rotating said spindle; a removable leather supporting member positioned on said base directly under said spindle having a supporting` surface of the predetermined shape of said portion to be removed; and means for securing said leather on said supporting surface.

1S. ln a machine for cutting leather, or like material, a support for said leather material of substantially a convex upper configuration, an operating spindle, a knife operatively associated With said spindle, and means for causing said knife to move inwardly toward the axis of said spindle upon the operation of the spindle thereby to obtain a tapered cut of the material being operated upon substantially as described.`

Signed by me at Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A., this 8th day of April, 1924.

KARL L. HERRMANN. 

